Evaluation of Index of Cardiac Electrophysiological Balance in Patients With Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

BACKGROUND: Myotonic dystrophy type 1(MD1), which is characterized by decreased muscle tone, progressive muscle weakness, and cardiac involvement, is an autosomal dominant and progressive congenital muscle disease. Cardiac involvement more often manifests as conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias (such as supraventricular or ventricular). Approximately one-third of MD1-related deaths occur due to cardiac causes. The index of cardiac-electrophysiological balance (ICEB) is a current parameter calculated as QT interval/QRS duration. The increase in this parameter has been associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. In this study, our aim was to compare the ICEB values ​​of MD1 patients and the normal population. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 62 patients were included in our study. They were divided into two groups - 32 MD patients and 30 controls. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, and electrocardiographic parameters of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The median age of the study population was 24 (20-36 IQR), and 36 (58%) of these patients were female. Body mass index was higher in the control group (p = 0.037). While in the MD1 group creatinine kinase was significantly higher (p <0.001), In the control group creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, calcium, and lymphocyte levels were significantly higher (p=0.031, p= 0.003, p=0.001, p=0.002, p=0.031, respectively). ICEB [3.96 (3.65-4.46) vs 3.74 (3.49-3.85) p=0.015] and corrected ICEB (ICEBc) [4.48 (4.08-4.92) vs 4.20 (4.03-4.51) p = 0.048] were significantly higher in the MD1 group. CONCLUSION: In our study, ICEB was found to be higher in MD1 patients than in the control group. Increased ICEB and ICEBc values ​​in MD1 patients may precipitate ventricular arrhythmias in the future. Close monitoring of these parameters can be helpful in predicting possible ventricular arrhythmias and in risk stratification.

Evaluation of cardiomyopathy with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A and 2B.

PURPOSE: Cardiac involvement in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD)2A and LGMD2B, the most common subgroups of LGMD, is controversial. Our study aims to determine whether myocardial dysfunction develops in LGMD2A and LGMD2B patients. METHODS: The study included 16 LGMD2A, 12 LGMD2B patients, and 48 healthy individuals. Comparisons included demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters of LGMD2A and LGMD2B subgroups and traditional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) parameters with the normal population. RESULTS: The median age was 33 (22-39 interquartile range [IQR]) in the LGMD2A group, 33 (27-38 IQR) in the LGMD2B group, and 28 (25-35 IQR) in the control group. The left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction of both LGMD2A and LGMD2B groups was similar to the control group (p = 0.296 and p = 0.918). Apical 4-chamber longitudinal strain (LS), Apical 2-chamber LS, Apical 3-chamber LS, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS)-mid-myocardial, LVGLS-endocardium, and LVGLS-epicardium were lower (less negative) in the LGMD2B group compared to the control group (p = 0.006, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: LV 2D-STE parameters of LGMD2A patients were similar to the control group, while they decreased significantly (less negative) in LGMD2B patients, indicating that LV subclinical myocardial dysfunction may develop in LGMD2B patients.

Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index: A Novel Predictor for Non-dipper Hypertension.

Introduction The non-dipper hypertension (HT) pattern is associated with more end-organ damage and cardiovascular events than is dipper HT. Inflammation is widely established to play a role in the pathophysiology of HT. Recently, a new inflammatory and prognostic marker called the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has emerged. Our goal is to determine whether there is a relationship between non-dipper HT and SII. Methods Our study is a single-center retrospective and ninety-one patients with HT were included. All patients were analyzed with simultaneous 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and laboratory parameters. Thirty-five patients had dipper HT while 56 patients had non-dipper HT. SII was calculated according to neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte counts. Results The median age was 48 (45-61 interquartile range (IQR)) in the non-dipper HT group, whereas it was 54 (44-64 IQR) in the dipper HT group. Although the neutrophil level, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet lymphocyte ratio, SII, sleeping systolic blood pressure (BP), and sleeping diastolic BP were higher (p=0.020, p=0.041, p=0.046, p=0.019, p<0.001, and p=0.001, respectively) in the non-dipper HT group, the lymphocyte level was lower (p=0.040). A multivariate logistic regression model shows that SII (odds ratio (OR)=1.023, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.002-1.112, p=0.012) may be an independent predictor of non-dipper HT. Conclusion Our study showed that the SII level was higher in the non-dipper HT patient group than in the dipper HT group. Furthermore, SII was an independent predictor of non-dipper HT. The high SII value in hypertension patients can be used as an early warning parameter to identify non-dipper HT patients.

Evaluation of Myocardial Strain by 2-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is one of the most common congenital muscle disorders. Whether facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy causes cardiac involvement is still controversial. Although electrocardiography and conventional echocardiography studies have been performed, there is no data on strain echocardiography in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Our study aims to compare the myocardial strain parameters by 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and the normal group. METHODS: This prospective single-center study included 35 patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and 54 control patients. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters of both groups were compared. In addition to conventional echocardiography images, myocardial strain parameters were performed using 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. RESULTS: The median age of the study population was 25 (19-35 IQR) and 51 (57.3%) of them were male. Left ventricle-global circumferential strain was significantly lower in the facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy group than in the normal group [−20.3 (−22.0; −19.0) vs. −21.6 (−22.5; −20.0), P = .020]. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography findings except left ventricle-global circumferential strain [for left ventricle-global longitudinal strain P = .259, for left ventricle-global radial strain P = .338, for right ventricle-global circumferential strain P=.250, and for right ventricle-free wall longitudinal strain P = .288] were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of our study, there was no significant difference between 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography parameters other than the left ventricle-global circumferential strain between facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and normal groups.

Prolonged P Wave Peak Time May Be a Sign of LV Diastolic Dysfunction in the Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon.

Background: The coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is an atherosclerotic process that causes ischemia at the microvascular level. The CSFP may affect P wave durations, especially P wave peak time (PWPT), by microvascular ischemia, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and changes in the left atrial dimension. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to assess PWPT in the CSFP. Method: One hundred and ninety-five patients were included in this single-center, retrospective study. Ninety patients were enrolled in the CSFP group and 105 patients in the control group. PWPT was defined as the duration between the beginning and peak of the p wave and obtained from the leads Dii and V i. Results: The mean age of the study population was 48.5 ± 9.5, and 108 (55.3%) of the patients were female. We found PWPT was longer in the CSFP group than in the control group. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between PWPT in both leads (D II, V i) and left atrial anterior-posterior diameter, mean TIMI frame count (TFC), and E/e. A significant relationship was observed between mean TFC, E/e, EF, heart rate, and PWPT in lead D ii (ß coefficient = 0.33, 95% CI 0.44-1.33, p < 0.001, ß coefficient = 0.23, 95% CI 0.25-1.85, p=0.01, ß coefficient = -0.140, 95% CI -1.04--0.53, p=0.03, and ß coefficient = -0.13, 95% CI -0.29--0.014, p=0.03, respectively) in multivariable linear analysis. Conclusion: In the present study, we found prolonged PWPT in patients with the CSFP and found a relationship between PWPT and mean TFC.

The effect of coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia on myocardial ischemia detected by single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the effects of COVID-19 pneumonia on cardiac ischemia detected by myocardial perfusion imaging with single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) in patients presenting with chest pain and shortness of breath after recovery from COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Patients with a history of COVID-19 confirmed by reverse transcriptase-PCR test who underwent SPECT-MPI for the evaluation of ischemia with the complaints of chest pain and shortness of breath were screened for this study. Patients who underwent thorax CT during the acute period of the COVID-19 were included. Patients with and without pneumonia were determined based on computed tomographic criteria. The patients with a summed stress score of at least 4 on SPECT-MPI were considered to have abnormal MPI in terms of ischemia. RESULTS: A total of 266 patients were included in the study. Sixty-five (24%) patients had ischemia findings on SPECT-MPI. Thorax CT showed pneumonia in 152 (57%) patients, and the patients were divided into two groups as pneumonia and nonpneumonia. Abnormal SPECT-MPI scores, which represented myocardial ischemia, were higher in the pneumonia group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the presence of hyperlipidemia and pneumonia on CT increased the risk of ischemia on SPECT-MPI (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.08-3.99; P-value = 0.029; and OR, 2.90; 95% Cl, 1.52-5.54; P-value = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pneumonia was identified as an independent predictor of ischemia on SPECT-MPI. Symptoms including chest pain and shortness of breath in patients who have had COVID-19 pneumonia may be attributed to coronary ischemia.

The effect of empagliflozin on P wave peak time and other P wave parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Empagliflozin is a selective SGLT2 inhibitor and provides a significant reduction in hospitalizations in heart failure patients and a reduction in combined cardiovascular deaths regardless of diabetes. The mechanisms of favorable effects remain unclear. Improvement in left ventricular diastolic function and a decrease in filling pressure are any mechanisms of positive effects. These effects may show themselves with some changes on the electrocardiography (ECG). So, we aimed to evaluate the effect of empagliflozin on P wave parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients without HF. METHOD: Fifty-three patients were included in the study. The electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluations were examined at the baseline and end of the third month for all patients. RESULTS: The median age of all patients was 55 (45-64 IQR). After treatment, LA volume (p <.001) and diameter (p = .001) in both the parasternal long-axis (p = .001) and the apical four-chamber view decreased. E/e' and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure were significantly decreased after treatment. P wave duration max,min, PWDmin, and PWdis were significantly shorter after treatment. The P wave peak time (PWPT) in lead Dii and V1 were significantly shorter after treatment. CONCLUSION: We found shortening of PWPT, PWdis, and PWD as reflections of improvements in left atrial volume and LV diastolic function on ECG after empagliflozin treatment.

Percutaneous closure of congenital aortic-to-right atrial fistula.

Transthoracic and transesophageal imaging of a 30-year-old patient who presented with palpitations and shortness of breath revealed flow from the aorta to the right atrium. An aortic-right atrial fistula, which is a rare anomaly, was evaluated. As there was no acquired cause, it was considered a congenital defect. Due to the patient's being symptomatic, a percutaneous closure was performed with the Amplatzer Duct Occluder II device.

The effect of resistant hypertension on in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Hypertension is a major concomitant disease in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) infection. The adverse effect of hypertension on prognosis in COVID-19 is known. Nevertheless, it is not known how COVID-19 progresses in resistant hypertensive patients. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of resistant hypertension (ResHT) on in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. In our single-center retrospective study, included 1897 COVID-19 patients. The patients were divided into three groups according to the non-hypertensive (n = 1211), regulated HT (RegHT) (n = 574), and ResHT (n = 112). These three groups were compared according to demographic features, clinical signs, laboratory findings, and follow-up times. The median age of the study population was 62 (50-72 IQR) and 1000 (52.7%) of patients were male. The total mortality of the study population was 18.7% (n = 356). Mortality rates were similar in the hypertensive patient group (27.5% for the RegHT and 32.1% for ResHT, p = 0.321). In a multivariable analysis, ResHT was independently associated with a significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality of COVID-19, while no significant increased risk was observed with RegHT [respectively, Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.013, Confidence Interval (CI) 1.085-3.734, p = 0.026 and OR = 1.194, CI 0.795-1.794, p = 0.394]. Also, age, male gender, chronic renal failure, lymphocyte, procalcitonin, creatinine, and admission SpO2 levels were determined as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. In our study, it was found that ResHT was an independent predictor of mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19; however, this situation was not found in RegHT.

SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging identifies myocardial ischemia in patients with a history of COVID-19 without coronary artery disease.

We aimed to examine the effect of a history of COVID-19 on myocardial ischemia in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients who presented with shortness of breath and/or chest pain after recovery. For this single-center retrospective study, patients who presented at cardiology outpatient clinics and had SPECT-MPI were screened. A total of 1888 patients were included in the study, 340 of whom had a history of COVID-19. 64 patients with > 50% stenosis on coronary angiography were excluded from the study. The primary outcome of the study was abnormal MPI. In the study population, the median age was 56 (49-64 IQR) years, and 1127 (65%) of the patients were female. Abnormal MPI was detected in 77 patients (23%) in the COVID-19 group and in 244 patients (16%) in the non-COVID-19 group. After adjustment was performed for clinical predictors using Bayesian logistic regression, an important association was found between the presence of a confirmed prior COVID-19 infection and abnormal MPI (posterior median odds ratio, 1.70 [95% CrI, 1.20-2.40], risk difference, 9.6% [95% CrI, 1.8%, 19.7%]). In SPECT-MPI, ischemia rates were observed to be higher in COVID-19 group and it was found that a confirmed prior COVID-19 might predict of abnormal MPI.

The effect of chronic DOAC treatment on clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Recent findings indicate that thrombosis is one of the underlying pathophysiology and complication of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the prognosis of the disease may be more favourable in people who were under oral anticoagulant treatment before the COVID-19 diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the effects of chronic DOAC use on ICU admission and mortality in hospitalized patients due to COVID-19 infection. METHOD: Between 1 September and 30 November 2020, 2760 patients hospitalized in our hospital due to COVID-19 were screened. A total of 1710 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as those who use DOAC due to any cardiovascular disease before the COVID-19 infection and those who do not. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were enrolled in the DOAC group and 1631 patients in the non-DOAC group. Median age of all study patient was 62 (52-71 IQR) and 860 (50.5%) of them were female. The need for intensive care, in-hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation were observed at higher rates in the DOAC group. Mortality was observed in 23 patients (29%) in the DOAC group, and it was statistically higher in the DOAC group (P = .002). In the multivariable analysis, age (OR: 1.047, CI: 1.02-1.06, P < .001), male gender (OR: 1.8, CI: 1.3-2.7, P = .02), lymphocyte count (OR: 0.45, CI: 0.30-0.69, P < .001), procalcitonin (OR: 1.12, CI: 1.02-1.23, P = .015), SaO2 (OR: 0.8, CI: 0.77-0.82, P < .001) and creatinine (OR: 2.59, CI: 1.3-5.1, P = .006) were found to be associated with in-hospital mortality. DOAC treatment was not found to be associated with lower in-hospital mortality in multivariable analysis (OR:1.17, CI: 0.20-6.60, P = .850). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the use of DOAC prior to hospitalization had no protective effect on in-hospital mortality and intensive care need in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

The effect of RAAS inhibitors on acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and in-hospital mortality in the hypertensive Covid-19 patients.

INTRODUCTION: We have aimed to investigate the relationship between use of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin-receptor-blocker (ARB) drugs and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) and in-hospital mortality in hypertensive Covid-19 patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Consecutive 1345 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 between April and October 2020 who met inclusion criteria were divided into two groups based on presence and absence of AHRF and mortality. The groups were compared regarding epidemiological, clinical, radiological, laboratory findings and treatments methods. The patient groups ACEI, ARB and other antihypertensive drugs (non-ACEI/ARB) were compared regarding same parameters. RESULTS: Median age was 68 (60-76) years in the patient group including 805 (59.9.1%) females. Of the patients, 475 (35.3%), 644 (47.9%) and 226 (16.8%) were using ACEIs, ARBs and non-ACEI/ARB, respectively. AHRF and in-hospital mortality developed in 1053 (78.3%) and 290 (21.6%) patients, respectively. Age, gender, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus (DM), neutrophil, lymphocyte, creatinine, D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), ACEI, beta blocker and aspartate transaminase (AST) found statistically significant in the univariable logistic regression performed to identify independent predictors of mortality were included multivariable logistic regression model. Age (OR: 1.066, 95%CI: 1.049-1.083; p < .001), DM (OR: 1.682, 95%CI: 1.238-2.286; p = .001), neutrophil (OR: 1.041, 95%CI: 1.007-1.077; p = .019), creatinine (OR: 1.178, 95%CI: 1.048-1.325; p = .006), CRP (OR: 1.008, 95%CI: 1.006-1.010; p < .001), ACEI (OR: 0.718, 95%CI: 0.521-0.988; p = .042), AST (OR: 1.005, 95%CI: 1.001-1.010; p = .010) were found associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: In our study, it was not detected clinically significant difference between three groups with regard to their relation with in-hospital mortality.

The relationship between coronary slow-flow and frontal QRS-T angle.

OBJECTIVE: It is known that increased frontal QRS-T angle, which is a new ventricular repolarization marker is associated with adverse cardiac outcomes. It has been observed that the coronary slow-flow (CSF) phenomenon can cause arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between CSF in patients and the frontal QRS-T angle. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 200 patients, 97 of who had CSF and 103 with the normal coronary flow (NCF), were included in our study. The CSF group was divided into two groups; single-vessel CSF and multi-vessel CSF. The TIMI-frame count was calculated from the coronary angiography images of each patient. 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) records were examined. The frontal QRS-T angle was obtained from the automated reports of the ECG device. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 50.7 ± 9.5 and 102 (51%) of patients were female. The frontal QRS-T angle was significantly higher in patients with CSF compared to the NCF group [48(31-64) vs 37(25-46), p = 0.001]. A positive correlation was observed between the frontal QRS-T angle and TIMI-frame count in the correlation analysis performed separately for LAD, Cx, RCA patients with CSF (respectively; r = 0.340 and p < 0.001, r = 0.262 and p = 0.002, r = 0.247 and p = 0.003). The frontal QRS-T angle was higher in patients with multi-vessel CSF than in patients with single-vessel CSF [53.5(41.5-76.5) vs 43.0(23.5-60.5), p = 0.039]. CONCLUSION: There is a positive correlation between frontal QRS-T angle and TIMI-frame count. The frontal QRS-T angle is higher in patients with CSF. Also, frontal QRS-T angle was higher in the multi-vessel CSF group.

Myocardial Strain Assessment by 2D Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with Congenital Myopathy.

Background: Congenital myopathies (CMs) are a group of rare genetic muscle disorders. Cardiac involvement can be seen in these patients. We aimed to evaluate the myocardial strain parameters by 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in patients with CM. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients with CM whose diagnosis was confirmed by genetic analysis or muscle biopsy were included in the study, and 48 patients were involved as a control group. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF%) was calculated by biplane Simpson method, and myocardial strain analysis was performed by 2D STE. Results: The median age of the study population was 26 (19-35 interquartile range [IQR]) and 43 (60%) were women. In the analysis performed after the exclusion of two patients with multiminicore disease (MMD) who developed heart failure, although mild, LVEF% (62 [60-65 IQR] vs. 64 [63-66 IQR], P = 0.008) and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) were significantly lower in the CM group (-21.8 [-19.7, -24.9 IQR] vs. -23.9 [-22.4, -25.6 IQR], P = 0.0017). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) was observed similarly in both groups (-19.9 [-18.7, -20.7 IQR] vs. -20.5 [-19.3, -21.9 IQR], P = 0.069). LVEF% (33 and 46), LVGLS (-7.5 and -10.7), and RVGLS (-14.9 and -16.1) values were low in two siblings with MMD. Conclusion: Although LVEF% and RVGLS were significantly lower in the CM group, LVGLS was similar. The decrease in RVGLS and LVEF% was mild, and heart failure was not observed in any patient except MMD patients who were not included in the analysis.

The effect of favipiravir on QTc interval in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: The effect of favipiravir on the QTc interval during the treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is unclear. Thus, the current study objective was to evaluate any change in the QTc interval in patients who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 receiving favipiravir treatment. METHOD: Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were assessed in this single-center retrospective study. 189 patients, whose diagnosis was confirmed using real-time PCR, were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups: those using hydroxychloroquine (Group 1, n = 66), hydroxychloroquine plus favipiravir (Group 2, n = 66), and favipiravir only (Group 3, n = 57). The QTc interval was measured before treatment (QTc-B) and 48 h after (i.e., the median) starting treatment (QTc-AT). RESULTS: The median age was 53 (39-66 IQR) and 97 (51%) of patients were female. The median QTc(Bazett)-change was 7 ms (p = 0.028) and 12 ms (p < 0.001) and in Group 1 and 2, respectively. In Group 3, the median QTc(Bazett)-change was observed as -3 ms and was not statistically significant (p = 0.247). In multivariable analysis, while there was a significant relationship between QTc-AT(Bazett) and hydroxychloroquine (ß coefficient = 2687, 95%CI 2599-16,976, p = 0,008), there was no significant relationship with favipiravir (ß coefficient = 0,180, 95% CI -6435-7724, p = 0,858). Similarly, there was a significant relationship between the QTc-AT interval calculated using the Fredericia formula and hydroxychloroquine (ß coefficient = 2120, 95% CI 0,514-14,398, p = 0,035), but not with favipiravir (ß coefficient = 0,111, 95% CI -6450- 7221, p = 0,911). CONCLUSION: In the ECG recordings received in the following days after the treatment was started in COVID-19 patients, there was a significant prolongation in the QTc interval with hydroxychloroquine, but there was no significant change with favipiravir.

The effect of idiopathic premature ventricular complexes on left ventricular ejection fraction.

AIM: Current literature lacks a definitive threshold of idiopathic premature ventricular complex (PVC) burden for predicting cardiomyopathy (CMP). The main objective of the present study was to evaluate relationship between the PVC burden and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHOD: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 341 consecutive patients with more than 1,000 idiopathic PVC in 24 hr of Holter monitoring admitted to the cardiology clinics between January 2019 and May 2019 in the nineteen different centers. The primary outcome was the LVEF measured during the echocardiographic examination. RESULT: Overall, the median age was 50 (38-60) and 139 (49.4%) were female. Percentage of median PVC burden was 9% (IQR: 4%-17.4%). Median LVEF was found 60% (55-65). We used proportional odds logistic regression method to examine the relationship between continuous LVEF and candidate predictors. Increase in PVC burden (%) (regression coefficient (RE) -0.644 and 95% CI -1.063, -0.225, p < .001), PVC QRS duration (RE-0.191 and 95% CI -0.529, 0.148, p = .049), and age (RE-0.249 and 95% CI -0.442, -0.056, p = .018) were associated with decrease in LVEF. This inverse relationship between the PVC burden and LVEF become more prominent when PVC burden was above 5%. A nomogram developed to estimate the individual risk for decrease in LVEF. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that increase in PVC burden %, age, and PVC QRS duration were independently associated with decrease in LVEF in patients with idiopathic PVC. Also, inverse relationship between PVC burden and LVEF was observed in lower PVC burden than previously known.

Normal echocardiographic measurements in a Turkish population: The Healthy Heart ECHO-TR Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Normal reference values for the cardiac chambers are widely based on cohorts from European or American populations. In this study, we aimed to obtain normal echocardiographic measurements of healthy Turkish volunteers to reveal the age, gender, and geographical region dependent differences between Turkish populations and other populations. METHODS: Among 31 collaborating institutions from all regions of Turkey, 1154 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Predefined protocols were used for all participants during echocardiographic examination. Blood biochemical parameters were also obtained for all patients on admission. The American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging recommendations were used to assess the echocardiographic cardiac chamber quantification. RESULTS: The study included 1154 volunteers (men: 609; women: 545), with a mean age of 33.5±11 years. Compared to men, women had a smaller body surface area, lower blood pressure and heart rate, lower hemoglobin, total cholesterol, lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, and higher high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Cardiac chambers were also smaller in women and their size varied with age. When we compared the regions in Turkey, the lowest values of left cardiac chamber indices were seen in the Marmara region and the highest values were observed in the Mediterranean region. Regarding the right cardiac indices, the Mediterranean region reported the lowest values, while the Black Sea region and the Eastern Anatolia region reported the highest values. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that evaluates the normal echocardiographic reference values for a healthy Turkish population. These results may provide important reference values that could be useful in routine clinical practice as well as in further clinical trials. (.

Can hemodialysis change QRS axis in patients without cardiovascular disease?

OBJECTIVE: Due to rapid changes in volume and electrolyte concentration during hemodialysis (HD), some electrocardiographic (ECG) changes or arrhythmias can be seen. The aim of this study was to assess ECG QRS axis changes and other ECG parameters after HD in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: A total of 46 patients (65% male, mean age 52±15 years) with a sinus rhythm and without cardiovascular disease who were undergoing chronic HD treatment were included to the study. Blood samples, 12-lead electrocardiograms, and echocardiograms were recorded immediately before and at the end of an HD session. The QRS axis and other electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, electrolyte parameter, and volume changes were analyzed. RESULTS: The serum urea, creatinine, potassium, and B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations significantly decreased after HD, and the serum calcium levels significantly increased after HD. Body weight significantly decreased after HD. There was no significant difference in the QRS duration, PR interval, P-wave axis, QRS axis, or QT and QTc interval following HD. Based on a comparison of variables according to the any QRS axis change after HD treatment, there was no significant difference in biochemical values, HD time, ultrafiltration volume, left ventricular ejection fraction, or other echocardiographic findings. CONCLUSION: ESRD and HD are complex and dynamic processes, and the change in the QRS axis is rarely emphasized in these patients. In our study, there was no significant change in the QRS axis with HD in patients without cardiovascular disease.

Safety of once- or twice-daily dosing of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: A NOAC-TR study.

Once-daily dosing of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) may increase patient adherence to treatment but may also be associated with a higher risk of bleeding. In this study, we investigated the adherence to once- or twice-daily dosing of NOACs and the risk of bleeding in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. This multicenter cross-sectional study, conducted between 1 September 2015 and 28 February 2016, included 2214 patients receiving NOACs for at least 3 months, due to NVAF. Patients receiving once-daily or twice-daily NOAC doses were 1:1 propensity score matched for baseline demographic characteristics and the presence of other diseases. The medication adherence was assessed by the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Risk factors were investigated in relation to minor and major bleeding. The mean age of patients was 71 ± 10 years, and 53% of the patients were women. The medication adherence was lower in patients receiving twice-daily NOAC doses compared to once-daily-dose group (47% versus 53%, p = 0.001), and there was no difference between the groups in terms of minor (15% versus 16%, p = 0.292) and major bleeding (3% versus 3%, p = 0.796). Independent risk factors for bleeding were non-adherence to medication (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.23-2.14, p = 0.001), presence of 3 or more other diseases (OR: 10.3, 95% CI: 5.3-20.3, p < 0.001), and HAS-BLED (Hypertension, Abnormal renal and liver function, Stroke, Bleeding, Labile INR, Elderly, Drugs or alcohol) score (OR: 4.84, 95% CI: 4.04-5.8, p < 0.001). In summary, the once-daily dose of NOACs was associated with increased patient adherence to medication, while it was not associated with bleeding complications.